Jarrod Lawson: The Story and Sound of Modern Soul
Table of Contents
Soul, Jazz and “Next Move” with Jarrod Lawson | Local Music Somewhere
Soul. Jazz. Global acclaim. In this episode of #LMS, we sit down with the phenomenal Jarrod Lawson, whose fusion of heartfelt songwriting, masterful keyboard
If you like smooth R&B music full of soul and spirit, Jarrod Lawson should definitely be on your radar. Lawson is a real musical talent, combining rich vocals with impressive songwriting and virtuoso piano skills. Working from his studio base in Nashville, he makes modern records influenced by ’70s soul and traditional Gospel sounds. Jarrod Lawson was previously one of the Pacific Northwest’s best-kept musical secrets, but his fan base is getting bigger all the time.
In this article, we’ll explore the life and music of Jarrod Lawson. From his self-titled debut album in 2014 to his latest releases in 2024, Lawson continues to spread great music and positive vibes around the world.
The early story
Music has always been central to Jarrod Lawson’s life. Born in Redwood City, CA, his childhood was immersed in the sounds of soul, funk, and jazz. His parents played records all the time, with young Jarrod always humming and drumming in front of the speakers. Lawson’s dad was also a musician, and his first memories come from his father’s recording studio. The Lawson family moved away from the California coast when Jarrod was 8, traveling to a farmstead near Portland for a quieter life.
In this tranquil setting, a young Jarrod Lawson explored his father’s record collection in depth. In this world of vinyl crackle and speak hum, he discovered the life-affirming music of greats like Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder. Not content to just listen, he decided to learn piano and become part of the music scene. Lawson’s fascination with the piano blossomed through his teen years, and before long, he was a virtuoso player with a huge repertoire.
Jarrod Lawson’s music career started young. The upcoming singer-songwriter would hit local stages in Portland and the surrounding area. Playing live was always important to Lawson, and he loved spending time on stage with other musicians. He had been playing piano solo from the age of 13, and he learned to play with a jazz ensemble while studying at college. This gave Lawson a great musical foundation, which he used as a springboard for his career.
Jarrod Lawson married young, getting together with his childhood sweetheart before divorcing in 2014. He met his current wife, Evalee Gertz, in 2018, marrying again in 2022 at Trout Lake, WA. Like many artists, some of Jarrod’s songs are inspired by the ups and downs of these relationships. “Love Isn’t Always Enough” was written after the breakdown of his first marriage, and “Evalee” is dedicated to his lovely new wife. Lawson moved from Portland to Nashville in 2022, following the footsteps of countless musicians in search of new opportunities.
Album releases
Jarrod Lawson has produced lots of music over the years, from his debut studio album in 2014 to his recent run of singles on Dome Records. There’s been a dozen singles released over the last decade, along with two long-players and a promotional radio sampler. The following recordings are among the highlights:
Jarrod Lawson
Jarrod Lawson became an instant sensation with the release of his debut, self-titled album. It featured an unapologetically Gospel theme and had a unique worldview for the time. While it wasn’t a religious album per se, it definitely leaned into Christian ideals and values. Lawson sings of struggle and hope throughout the album, and he never sounds detached from everyday living. He also sings about important contemporary issues, such as mindless consumerism, media deception, and globalization.
Musically, this album blends Gospel inspiration with timeless soul and jazz sounds. Everything comes together nicely in a rich musical landscape of clever arrangements and thoughtful lyrics. This release even got the attention of Stevie Wonder himself, which would have been unimaginable to the young record-loving boy. Lawson followed his acclaimed debut with a limited edition vinyl EP called “Jarrod Lawson At The BBC.” It was recorded at London’s historic BBC Maida Vale studios and broadcast on the Gilles Peterson Worldwide Show.
Be The Change
This studio album was released in 2020, and it’s Lawson’s first long-player since his debut. As his second major release in 6 years, there were lots of expectations around this record. Be The Change highlights his warm timbre and impressive vocal range, along with his enviable skills on the piano keys. The lyrics are very thoughtful once again, but the themes are more diverse than his debut.
Be The Change still has lots of Gospel influences, but it goes deeper into philosophical territory. He sings of metaphysical matters on the track “Battlefield,” relationships on the song “Love Ain’t Always Enough,” and society on “Be The Change” and “Connected.” One of the most beautiful songs is “Radio,” which is a duet with Moonchild’s sentimental vocalist Amber Navran. “Be The Change” also features the legendary Grammy-nominated percussionist Sammy Figueroa.
Recent singles
It’s been a while since Jarrod Lawson released an album, but he’s still making sweet sounds in the studio. While he’s far from prolific, the following two singles were released on Dome Records over the last 2 years:
I Would Die 4 U
The one-and-only Prince released “I Would Die 4 U” back in 1984, on the spectacular album Purple Rain. Lawson debuted his own version of this song during the COVID lockdown, releasing the track as a single on March 17, 2023. His voice has a thick and intense timbre throughout, and the tight production underpins his soulful delivery. “Footsteps In The Dark” is the B-side of this release, and it’s another fantastic song.
Next Move
This song is attributed to Jarrod Lawson and Raquel Rodriguez, who both contribute to the vocals. This track is both nostalgic and fresh, channeling classic ’90s R&B while adding an upbeat contemporary groove. This is a beautiful ballad with sweet undertones, with Lawson and Rodriguez sounding absolutely great together. This track was created during a 2-day recording session, before being released by Dome Records in 2024.
Jarrod Lawson on stage
Live music has always been central to Jarrod Lawson’s career. As a jazz pianist and vocalist, he loves playing with other talented musicians on concert stages. After years of playing in bars and clubs across the Pacific Northwest, his first overseas performance was at London’s Ronnie Scott’s Club in 2014. This world-famous venue has been an important stepping stone for lots of soul and jazz artists, and Lawson is no exception. Following this celebrated show, a reviewer from Jazzwise wrote: “With the deafening buzz surrounding this gig, Lawson has to show and prove, and he does so and then some, pretty much from the downbeat.”
Since his auspicious beginning on the live circuit, Lawson has completed seven successful international tours. There’s been lots of amazing highlights along the way, including Rotterdam’s North Sea Jazz festival, the UK’s Love Supreme festival, and Indonesia’s Java Jazz festival. He’s also played lots of intimate gigs in jazz bars around the world, in far-flung locations like Beijing, Melbourne, and Tokyo. Jarrod Lawson continues to light up the stage with his great voice and fantastic musicianship, with these upcoming shows sure to be a smash:
- April 25 – The Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, AZ
- April 27 – Yoshi’s in Oakland, CA
- May 3 & 4 – Middle C Jazz in Charlotte, NC
- May 13 – Tribby Arts Center in Fort Myers, FL
- May 14 – Faena Theater in Miami Beach, FL
- May 16 – Judson’s Live in Orlando, FL
- May 25 – Piedmont Park in Atlanta, GA
- July 23 – The Aretha Franklin Amphitheater in Detroit, MI
If you like classic soul and jazz sounds in a modern R&B package, you should check out the wonderful music of Jarrod Lawson. Put his recent songs on your next playlist, or buy some concert tickets to experience his talents in person.
More Artists and Show Episodes
